Chapter Three
"Tell me about her." Niklaus was lounging on Elijah's plush cream couch, his attention riveted on the sketchbook propped up by his bent knee rather than the conversation at large, but Elijah appreciated the effort. He'd appreciated it more if his baby brother didn't get any further charcoal smudges on his couch, though: it was like he did these things on purpose just to test the elasticity of his patience before it inevitably snapped. It wasn't that he minded the mess, not by any means, he only wished Klaus didn't feel the constant need to get under his skin.
"Since when do you care about my love life, brother?" Elijah inquired wryly as he knotted his tie in a half-Windsor. He'd done it so many times that he didn't even need to look in the mirror, which was handy because it allowed him to frown at his sibling and get ready for his hearing at the same time.
"Since you took up the habit of smiling like an idiot when you think I'm not looking, brother," Klaus grinned smugly, twirling a stick of charcoal between his fingers. "And I can attest from personal experience just how hard it is to crack that hard exterior of yours, despite years of fruitless trying, and therefore want to know who she is so I can congratulate my better on her momentous achievement."
"Did you just shame me and compliment the lady of my affection at the same sentence?"
"That I did. One of my many talents, I've been told. Now, come on, Elijah! At least give me something to work with! I don't even know where you're going on Saturday. What if there's a fire or an axe-wielding maniac breaks down the door and I need to tell you but I can't because you were being unnecessarily cagey?"
"If that happened, Niklaus, your first point of contact should be the authorities and the fire department, respectively."
"Your disappointed scowl is far more of a deterrent than any armed officer, I assure you. And any fire would go out if you asked it to nicely."
"Jealous of my silver tongue, brother?"
"Nah, I much prefer my forked one, thanks." Klaus snapped his fingers impatiently. "Details, Elijah."
"Didn't Rebekah tell you everything already?" Elijah hedged carefully. "I'm surprised I haven't had Kol blowing up my phone for the past few days."
"Trust me, he's got enough problems in his own love life, no need to get involved in yours as well."
"He's still trailing after Miss Claire, then?"
"Like the good little lamb he isn't. It's amusingly pathetic."
"Niklaus," Elijah chastised sternly. "Just because you are currently not having any success with your romantic endeavours does not mean you should belittle the attempts of the rest of us."
"But it's so fun!" Klaus exclaimed "And, as a matter of fact, I'm having more luck than you realize: I also have a date Saturday night, as it so happens."
"And let me guess: you'll be wearing an ensemble identical to," Elijah waved a hand, "that?"
Klaus pouted "I'll put a jacket over the top when I do, but yes, that was the overall plan."
"Fine, to indulge your curiosity. Her name is Elena Gilbert, she's an English Literature major at Whitmore, and we met the other week in the library. She's intelligent, caring, kind-hearted, gorgeous and incredibly witty, and I like her a great deal. Satisfied?"
"Indubitably."
"And who's your intended companion?"
"The lovely Miss Caroline Forbes...your date's roommate."
"You just delight in dropping these conversational bombs on me, don't you?"
"Absolutely."
"And you did this because..."
"Don't be so self-centered, Elijah: my every action does not involve you. I asked her to dinner because I enjoyed her company at Rebekah's little soiree the other night...annoying you is merely a bonus."
"I expect you to be on your best behaviour, then. I would hate for you to make the Mikaelson name look bad."
"Of course. I'll be nothing but the perfect gentleman. I'll even," dramatic gasp, "open the car door for her and actually listen to what she says rather than just dragging her to the nearest bathroom and-"
"Alright, Niklaus, that's quite enough; you've made your point." Smiling, he tossed his keys in his pocket and ruffled his younger brother's hair affectionately as he swept past him. "I'm glad you've met someone who's company you can stand for more than five minutes," Elijah told him honestly over his shoulder.
The elder Mikaleson reckoned that Klaus thought he was out of hearing, but he still picked up his brother's murmured, "So am I," all the same.
After the initial freak-out of 'OMG, we're dating brothers' thing, Caroline and Elena calmed down enough to lay out all the details to each other. After telling her all about her walk with Elijah, the brunette propped herself up on the pillows and waited excitedly for her friend to spill her own romantic beans.
"I met him by the pool table. Some guy was trying to hit on me -unsuccessfully, I gotta say- and I was giving the douche total hell for it when Klaus swooped in like a blond-haired, blue-eyed Watchmen anti-hero and insulted the balls off him before graciously asking of I'd like to have a drink with him. Naturally, I said yes, because hello: the accent, the hair, the dimples. He has actual dimples, Elena! How awesome is that?"
"Very awesome," the brunette nodded in confirmation.
"So, we snuck off to the back of the room and shared a very lengthy drink together. And, major plot twist, he wanted to get to know me, genuinely. Which is a nice change of pace. We talked, I told him all about little ole me, he told me about growing up in England -cue me swooning- and his many siblings, as well as his art. I wanted proof he wasn't exaggerating, so I got him a napkin and asked him to draw me something."
Caroline leaned over the bed, her head a dangerous half an inch away from the dresser edge, rummaging around, and Elena had to put her palm over the protruding corner so that her blonde bestie didn't wack her head and get a concussion. She waved the aforementioned napkin around proudly. "While we were talking, I somehow ended up telling him I've always wanted to go to Paris, so he drew this."
It was, in actual fact, a beautiful and very real-looking rendition of the Eiffel Tower, complete with shading and trees. The talent behind it alone was impressive, even more so the fact that the guy had had a few drinks, was drawing in semi-darkness, and was likely distracted by Caroline's overall awesomeness.
"Are you sure he's real?" Elena inquired skeptically. "Is he human for like, half a day and then when the sun comes up he has to go back into his box or reverts into a mannequin?"
"With that body, it wouldn't surprise me," Caroline blurted, before blushing and hiding her head in their accumulated pillow-mound. "God, I have no filter."
"I'm sure he likes that about you," she tried to soothe consolingly.
The blonde bolted upright. "True. Most girls can be kinda closed-off at this stage, especially when it comes to how they feel. But not me! I get it all out, lay it on the table like a china tea service, complete with shiny spoon."
"That you do."
"Are we cool now?" Caroline asked worriedly.
Elena smiled, giving her shoulders a gentle squeeze. "The coolest," she assured her.
"Great! Does that mean I can borrow your red heels then?"
"Don't push it, Care."
At six o' clock on Saturday night, Elena sat in front of the mirror she shared with Caroline, trying not to fidget with said roommate curled her hair and the other side of their friendship triangle sorted through her wardrobe.
"What about this one?" Bonnie held up a shimmering silver dress and Elena tried to shake her head, but it was hard with Caroline's vice-like grip, for she went with the verbal rejection of, "Nope, too shiny."
"You can never have enough shine!" Caroline protested with enough heat to rival the curling iron in her hand.
"You can if you're going out with Elijah Mikaleson. He's sophisticated, Care, and I doubt that wherever he's taking me they'll look too kindly on one of their patrons looking like an exploded disco ball from 1984."
"Elena does have a point."
Caroline glared -Elena could feel it. "Less talk, more sort."
Out of the corner of her eye, Elena spotted the perfect dress. "You done yet, Caroline?"
"One sec." She curled one more piece before releasing her. "Yep. All done.
Dashing to the closet, Elena claimed the hanger Bonnie had been in the process of discarding. "That one."
"Are you sure?" the Bennett queried. "Isn't that your Damon break-up dress? The one you said you'd never wear again?"
"It is, but this relationship is all about new beginnings and moving forward. Besides, it is a nice dress, and I did pay a small fortune for it."
Caroline grinned. "Good choice."
It was a light purple number with a skirt that came just below the knee, made from a glittering organza with glittering flowers and beads embroidered onto the bodice, as well as a sheer back. Classy, understated, yet also elegant and alluring at the same time. While it was true she'd only worn it once to a fancy dress party at which she'd broken up with Damon, like her heart it was time to dust it off and inject some life back into it.
Paired with some pearl-white heels and matching hair clip, Elena felt beautiful and mature in a way she hadn't for a long time.
Bonnie gave her a tight hug, fixing her clip so it wasn't so tight. "You look so pretty, Elena. I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks, Bonnie."
"But, if he hurts you, I won't hesitate to use some of my occult knowledge and hex and/or curse him. Better yet, I'll just stick Enzo on him: he literally cannot stand any injustice against women."
Elena rolled her eyes but knew her words came from a good place. "I'm sure that won't be necessary, Bon. It seems they both have a similar sense of chivalry."
"My turn now!" Caroline yelled happily before getting out her own dress. "Elena, I'm calling in all my hair favours. I desire to look desirable!"
"Alright, Cinderline, I'll do my best."
At six forty nine, Elena made her way up the steps of the Whitmore library, unsurprised to see that Elijah was already there, waiting for her, the lamplight shining off his hair and the polished tips of his shoes, catching in his eyes. It was almost too surreal for Elena, knowing that this guy who looked like he belonged on the front cover of a GQ magazine was actually interested in her, and yet she also knew than he was far more than just his looks, that he was a man beset with tragedy and who had a deep and passionately enforced moral code.
But God, did he look hot.
"A little late, aren't we?" she joked as she crossed the distance between them, beaming uncontrollably when he lent in and kissed her with exquisite gentleness.
"Extremely so," Elijah murmured against her cheek, before pulling away and bestowing her with a dazzling smile. "You look beautiful. Not that you didn't before, but-"
"You don't need to lay in the charm just yet, Elijah," she teased him with a smile of her own, "technically, our date doesn't start for another nine minutes."
"Well, I have never been one to pass up the opportunity to compliment a woman, and I don't think that shall change anytime soon," he remarked before offering her his arm. "Shall we?"
"We shall."
Elijah ended up taking her to the last place she'd ever have expected, but in a good way. A tiny, hole-in-the-wall restaurant, strung up with fairy lights and cream paper lanterns with black silhouettes on them, with mismatched chairs and bright tablecloths and candles that wouldn't be out of place in a gothic Hammer Horror movie set.
Suffice to say, she loved it.
"Elijah, it's perfect!" Elena exclaimed in amazement as he pulled out her chair for her, eyeing the room with wonder. "How did I not know about this place?"
"Its one of those word of mouth things, I'd expect. I only just recently discovered it myself after I had a difficult case and decided to indulge my woes in fine dining," Elijah explained, taking a seat in his own chair and folding his napkin in his lap. He really was a stickler for manners, it seemed.
"Do you do that often?" she asked as she began scanning the menu, surprised to see so many of her favourite dishes available. Elijah really had picked well, which was startling given the fact that they hardly knew each other, really, although Elena felt quite the opposite on his company.
"Not frequently, I'm usually much more austere with myself when it comes to eating triple-chocolate cake. Why?"
"Notes for future reference," Elena explained, grinning as she closed her menu and took a sip of her water.
The expression was mirrored on his face, although there was something more tentative to it than hers had been. "Someone sounds optimistic," Elijah noted as he closed the menu and flagged down a waiter with an elegant wave of his hand.
"Aren't you?"
Her answer appeared to catch him off guard, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes along with the candlelight as he murmured, "Touché."
It was, quite possibly, the best dinner of her life, and not just because of the food -their chicken mozzarella was perfect, as was her salad with green bean dressing, and after Elijah brought it up she couldn't not try their chocolate cake- but her companion himself. Elijah was smart, and witty, and he listened to everything she said with rapt attention, and there was never any awkward lull in the conversation. She felt uniquely at ease with him, more like herself than she had in a long while, and Elena could only hope that he enjoyed their time out together as much as she had. Her only complaint was that Elijah could have at least split the bill with her, since she didn't want him to think she was only interested in his money, but he'd said he would never let a lady pay for a first date, etiquette dictated as such, and that if she felt such a need to spend her money, she could always buy him coffee the next time he saw her, which she laughed at with mild shock: Elijah Mikaelson could be quite the flirt when he wanted to be, and a confident one at that.
"Oh my God, could you believe that waiter's face?" Elena giggled as they walked hand in hand back to her dorm, the warm breeze ruffling her hair as she laid her head against Elijah's shoulder as they ambled along. "I don't think I've ever seen someone look so scared in my entire life?"
"Quite," Elijah agreed, laugher dancing in his tone. "It's not every day one drops a two hundred dollar bottle of wine, though? And certainly not in the lap of one of Virginia's most promising politicians."
Elena lifted her head, piercing him with an incredulous look. "You knew who that guy was?"
"Darling Elena, I know everyone important," he drawled with a casual smirk as they arrived at the door, him opening the door for her with no promoting whatsoever. At this point, she was almost starting to get worried: he couldn't be this nice, it just wasn't humanly possible.
"Yeah, but you didn't know me over a week ago," she pointed out cheekily as she dug around in her purse for her key, instead finding it within the depths of her jacket -how typical- using false humour to cover her internal anxieties.
"I mistake I've been exceedingly happy to rectify," he purred in her ear as he pressed her back into the wood, staring down at her with an expression that could only be described as 'sinfully lustful.'
"Do you want to stay for a little while?" Elena offered, hoping she didn't sound as breathless as she felt. "I can give you the grand V.I.P tour."
"And what makes the V.I.P tour more notable than the regular one?" Elijah inquired with an amusedly raised brow.
"Visitors get to drink my coffee and look at pictures of me in my cheerleading outfit, but that's only if they behave," she teased him with a smile.
"How fortunate for me, then, given the fact that I am known for being a perfect gentleman."
God, one sentence from him -that wasn't even remotely smutty, but rather the opposite- and her knees felt like they were going to turn to jelly and wobble her to the floor.
"Fortunate indeed."
Grinning, Elena sent a backwards kick in the general direction of the door, pulling Elijah in with her by his tie, knotting it between her fingers to give herself purchase as she tilted towards him...but she wasn't alone in the room; she could feel it, the hairs on her neck standing on end, a rabbit knowing when a wily fox is about in the forest.
Letting go of Elijah, Elena turned around, only to see the last person she'd ever expect in her dorm, the last person she'd ever wanted to see, ever again. And, as it turns out, she wasn't the only one, for when Elena yelled, "Damon?" it was at the same time of Elijah's disbelievingly exclaim of, "Katherine?"
Author's Note: Hello, everyone! Sorry for the cliffhanger, and the fact that this chapter is rather short, but it felt better as a self-contained chapter rather than a longer one...with the Klaroline date. Which is coming up next. Which I have already started writing because I'm so excited about it!
See you soon!
All my love, Temperance Cain.
