"And that, my sexy koala bear, is how you hotbox." Elena says slowly as she rolls down her car windows, letting out the smoke as she and Kol get out of the car.
"Is that dangerous?" He asks as she nods with a shrug.
"Technically, because of the lack of oxygen or whatever, but most fun things are." She explains as they make their way to the front porch.
"I hear your uncle... dad." Kol warns, making Elena sigh and retract her hand from the doorknob and take a seat on the porch steps. "What's wrong?" He asks, sitting next to her as she leans her head against shoulder.
"I love the guy, but he has a very… killable face. And personality. " She says with a thoughtful expression as Kol frowns.
"You think I would kill your family?" He asks, trying and failing to keep the hurt out of his voice as she frantically shakes her head.
"No. That's not it. I just- I don't want you to have to change for me. And refraining from killing John, well that would be a pretty big change. Especially when he gives me the inevitable 'vampires bad/humans good' speech." She assures him in a genuine tone before looking back at the door with regret. "I should go in. On a scale from Cheech to Chong, how high do I look?" She asks as Kol makes a confused face.
"I have no clue what that means." He says. "But you look fine. It's how you smell we should talk about." He adds with a slight teasing tone as she laughs and stands.
"Whatever. Hey, remind me to show you 'Up in Smoke' later alright?" He nods, leaning forward to kiss her cheek before vamp-speeding away, Elena turns to the door with a grimace.
As she enters and sees no sign of John she lets out a small breath of relief, a bit too soon though, because he immediately pops into the foyer, making her smile widely.
"Heyy, John. Othan. Athan? That's a weird name. Johnathan." She repeats moving her mouth strangely as he narrows his eyes and steps closer?
"Are you high?" He asks, holding her face and examining her pupils.
"Only on life, pop." She responds with a smile. "And a little pot." She whispers with a giggle, making him sigh and remove his hands. "What? Would you rather I lie?" She asks with a mock scandalized tone as she makes her way to the kitchen while he follows.
"I'd rather you be sober." He raises his voice in frustration as she searches through the pantry.
"Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you." She says without remorse as he runs a hand over his face. "Come to mama." She whispers, reaching for a bag of potato chips and a jar of peanut butter.
"Who were you with?" He asks, following her to the living room.
"Kol." She answers while distractedly making herself comfortable on the couch.
"And you and Kol are… close?" He struggles to get out as she turns to him with a raised brow. "You know what I mean. You are 17 and your mother's not here to talk about these things." He says awkwardly as she tries to smother a smirk.
"Are you asking if I'm sleeping with Kol?" She asks in a casual tone as he looks away, avoiding eye contact and nods. "No, I'm not." She says as he lets out a small sigh of relief. "But, I am sleeping with Klaus." She says, opening the bag of chips as John stares at her in what can only be described as horror.
"Wh-what? No, absolutely not." He shakes his head as she looks at him with confusion.
"What's wrong with Klaus?" She asks in a defensive tone as he looks to her in shock.
"Besides the fact that he killed you? How about, he looks thirty-" She interrupts.
"So you'd rather I sleep with Kol?" She asks, making him glare at her with a look that very clearly reads 'knock it off.'
"You shouldn't be sleeping with anyone." He says, making her snort and look to him incredulously. "I'm serious. You shouldn't be having sex until you're able to accept the consequences of a pregnancy." He quotes what is sure to be some pamphlet that's still somehow more informative than some bullshit, abstinence only sexual education class.
"And you shouldn't say dumb shit if you don't want me to slap you." She rolls her eyes. "And insanely hypocritical, don't you think?" She gestures to her body while sending him a pointed look.
"Elena, I am speaking from experience as someone who had to watch his brother raise my daughter." He says in a quiet tone.
"Yeah, well I think Rem's a little young for a kid." She tries to lighten the mood as he sits across from her with a defeated sigh. "I'm kidding. Look, I can handle myself. And I'm not you and I'm damn sure not Isobel. I don't need you to worry about these kinds of things okay?" She asks as he looks at her hesitantly. "Okay?" She repeats herself with a soft smile, he returns after a moment with a small nod.
"Fine. But, you know you can come to me, right? If you, uh need me." He tries to say as she nods with soft eyes.
"Yeah. I know." She responds.
"What is this Mikaelson ball?" John breaks the somewhat awkward silence with a question as Elena scoots further down the couch.
"Just a little welcome home party. You know they used to live here like a thousand years ago?" Elena asks, getting crumbs across her chest as she chews her chips dipped in peanut butter. "You know, it's funny. With all those founding family members, it's kinda like an impromptu council meeting." She brings up casually with a straight face as John sends her skeptical look.
"What are you planning?" He asks straight forward as she rolls her eyes.
"Do you have some kind of accusation quota you need to meet?" She ignores the question, not going unnoticed by John.
"I wouldn't need to accuse you, if you just shared your plans with me." He argues with exasperation as her brows furrow slightly in concentration.
"Will you take Remy to get a tux, I think he outgrew his old one." She not-so-subtly changes the subject, making him sigh and stand.
"Sure." He agrees and walks towards the stairs. "And at least drink some coffee, it's the middle of the afternoon, you don't need to be high." He adds as she lazily holds a thumb in the air.
"Ellie!" Caroline squeals, running to meet Elena as she walks towards the Mikaelson mansion.
"Hey, Care bear. How goes the planning?" Elena asks as they embrace tightly.
"It has been incredible, this is like my dream event. And Rebekah knows so much, she's been amazing." Caroline compliments as Elena nods.
"Yeah, she's the best. Did you get to talk to Klaus?" Elena asks with slight urgency as Caroline's brows furrow in confusion. "For the dress." She clarifies, making Caroline nod.
"Yes, I tried it on. Rebekah really liked it. We're gonna get ready together before the ball." She trails off with a smile.
"Cool, so back to Klaus, what did you guys talk about? Horses maybe?" Elena asks as Caroline tilts her head.
"Why would we talk about horses?" She asks as Elena shakes her head with a dejected sigh.
"No reason, I love you. I'll see you later." Elena says, hugging Caroline again before entering the Mikaelson's house and looking around for the family. "Aww, look at you two." Elena teases Kol and Klaus, making them look up at her from opposite ends of the same couch. "You're in the same room with zero prompting from me. I'm so proud." She wipes a fake tear away, bringing a hand to her heart as Kol smiles in amusement and Klaus rolls his eyes with a smile.
"Did I know you were coming over?" Klaus asks, making Kol scoffs.
"Who says she's here for you? What do you need, Darling?" Kol turns to Elena with a smile as she looks down.
"I actually came to talk to him, but we can chill after." She offers as he looks away with a head shake and a shrug.
"It's whatever, I've got things to do anyway." He crosses his arms as she withholds an eyeroll.
"Don't be like that-"
"Ellie." Finn enters the room with a smile, making his brother look to each other with shock. "How are you?" He asks as Elena smiles at him in greeting.
"I'm good, just here to talk to Klaus-"
"When the hell did you two get so chummy?" Kol looks between the two with suspicion as Klaus nods and Finn rolls his eyes.
"We went on an adventure. That kinda thing bonds people." She says as Kol stands and exits the room sending his oldest brother a glare. "What's his problem?" Elena asks with confusion as Klaus smiles at her in amusement.
"I will see you this evening, Ellie." Finn says with a nod before leaving the room as Elena smiles at him as he goes.
"What did you need to talk about?" Klaus asks, making Elena walk to him and take the sketch pad out of his hands, placing it next to him while she straddles his lap as he raises his brows.
"Hey, so you know I love you, right?" She asks as he nods with a small smile. "And you know that sex isn't a condition of our friendship?" She asks as he looks up to her with confusion.
"Yes." He answers slowly.
"Okay. Good. So you know that if you enter an exclusive relationship or just don't want to bang it out any more, that I'm not gonna leave. We'll still be totally chill." She stresses the totally as he nods.
"What is this about?" He voices his confusion as she shakes her head.
"Nothing. I've got some things to take care of." She gets off his lap. "I'll see you later." She pecks his lips quickly and leaves the room as he stares after her still confused.
Elena smirks, watching heads turn her way as she makes her entrance into the new and improved Mikaelson ball.
With a confidant strut, she makes her way through the room in search of her friends.
"You're late, as always." Bonnie says with a smile as she spots Elena, making Caroline lightly hit her shoulder.
"She's not late, she's just living fashionably." Caroline defends as Bonnie laughs and Elena beams at the blonde.
"Exactly, that's why I love you, care. You get it. You two look amazing." Elena compliments, looking the two over with a smile as Bonnie blushes and Caroline flips her hair over her shoulder.
"Thank you, Ellie. You look good too." Bonnie says as Elena smirks.
"I'm aware. I literally stopped traffic outside. Alright, truth be told, it was because I ran into the street and they breaked to miss me then flipped me off, but the point stands." She says, looking around as the girls laugh. "Wow, this place looks great, you really outdid yourself, Care." Elena says, making Caroline smile proudly.
Elena spots the Mikaelsons, causing her to excuse herself and walk towards them.
"My goodness, look at you." Elena shakes her head as the siblings look to her. "Just, chef's kiss on the whole gene pool." Elena kisses her fingers as the group smiles at her in amusement.
"You look lovely." Rebekah kisses her cheeks. "What do you think? Me and Caroline did a wonderful job, right?" Elena nods frantically sending her a smile.
"It's perfect. Only one thing could make it better." Elena adds with a smirk, causing the group to follow her eye line. "It seems the guest of honor has arrived." Elena says as the Mikaelsons stare at Sage in shock.
Finn's breath hitches as his eyes widen, staring in stunned silence before blink rapidly and turning to Elena. "What-" she interrupts.
"Doesn't matter, go talk to her. I think you've kept her waiting long enough." She smiles as he squeezes her arm gently and sends her a look of gratitude before walking away.
"You really invited her without telling him?" Rebekah asks with amusement.
"How many times do I need to say I'm a dramatic bitch before you people start to believe me?" Elena throws her arms up.
"Well, I'm glad. Finn deserves to find happiness." Elijah says with a nod before gesturing to the mayor and sending Klaus a look.
"I agree, perhaps it will lighten him up. Excuse us." Klaus says, patting Elena's hand before following Elijah.
"I'm bored and hungry." Kol all but pouts as Elena laughs and shakes her head.
"You poor baby." Elena puts a hand on his cheek as he narrows his eyes. "I'm sorry you're bored, but as for the hungry thing, you are surrounded by food." His eyes widen as a smile spreads across his face.
"Excellent idea, Darling." Kol kisses her cheek before skipping away.
"I'm gonna regret that." Elena says to Rebekah as she nods.
Elena sees the look Rebekah sends Stefan and sighs. "How's that going?" Elena asks as Rebekah purses her lips.
"I don't know. I know he cares and it's very sweet the way he's trying to spare my feelings. But, I think it's time I move on." Rebekah says with a definitive nod as Elena smiles and gestures to the room.
"Well, take your pick. Anyone would be lucky to have you." Rebekah smiles at her.
"I've been 'hanging out' with Caroline." She air quotes with a small faraway smile, she shakes her head. "And the rest of your friends." She adds.
"They're your friends now too, Beks." Elena comments.
"And Caroline taught me some things about relationships and how people change and grow apart." Rebekah tells Elena.
"Well, whatever you decide or whoever you pick, just remember that you deserve the world, Bekah. So don't settle for someone who can't even give you a continent." Elena says as Rebekah sends her a look.
"Cheesy." Rebekah states as Elena laughs.
"There's nothing wrong with a little cheese." She pushes the blonde shoulder as Rebekah laughs.
"Hey." Elena greets Elijah after observing him watch his siblings with a content smile.
"Ellie." He nods.
"So, is this what you had in mind?" She asks, not needing to specify, making him sigh.
"I'm not sure. Although I'm happy, I feel strange. This is what I wanted for so long. But now that I have my family back, I feel oddly… unsatisfied." He struggles to get out as her brows lift in surprise.
"Then, what do you want to do now?" She asks, making him look to her with question. "Look, E man you've been president of the babysitters club to a bunch of immortal assholes for the last thousand years, if anyone deserves a break." He stares at her a moment before a small smile spreads across his lips.
"Thank you, Elena." He says in a genuine tone, taking her by surprise before she shrugs.
"Elijah." Sage greets tightly as her and Finn step in front of the pair.
"Sage, you look well." Elena coughs to hide a laugh at his awkward greeting as Sage's eyes find hers.
"You must be Ellie, I can't express how grateful I am to you. Anything you need, I'm in your debt." Sage takes Elena's hand as the doppelgänger blurts out the first thing to come to mind.
"Boxing lessons." Sage's eyes widen in surprise. "If you ever have the time to teach me how to box, that would be sick." Elena clarifies as Sage nods and smiles brightly.
"Done." She says before excusing herself once she sees Damon as Elijah walks away.
"Imma be honest, Finn. She's way too cool for you." Elena shakes her head as Finn chuckles.
"I know. She always was. She's fearless and strong." Finn says with emotion as the pair watch her from across the room.
"And let's not forget, insanely hot. I mean, good god, that woman's attractive." Elena shakes her head before leaning into Finn with a serious expression. "If you don't fuck her tonight, I will." Finn's eyes widen, before releasing an involuntary breath of relief when she snickers. "Kidding." His relieved smile drops at the sight of her wolfish grin. "You have a week." She takes his glass of champagne and leaves him standing alone with an open mouth and an empty hand.
