AN: Kudos who can figure out what I'm referencing with Elena's book.


It's a few days later when she texts to see if she can come over again, and he agrees to that easily. She just wants to hang out, she admits.

It's not like she was thinking about him or that she wants to see him again. It's just that her house is definitely too loud and she just wants to sit in his armchair and read a book she's never read before. Elena's not actually sure if the excuse will hold up but she parks in his driveway anyway.

Elijah opens the door as she's locking her her car, and Elena gives a quick grin as she walks to him. She knows she shouldn't be nervous so maybe it's just seeing Elijah that makes her suddenly feel like there are butterflies in her stomach and anticipation hit her veins. Maybe it's a million other things, she thinks but she takes off her Converse and moves to his comfortable armchair. It's too big for her to take up the entire chair unless she sprawls out and she tucks her feet under her as she pulls her book out of her bag.

"That's why you wanted to come over? To steal my armchair?" He teases and she snorts.

"Maybe." It's the truth technically, it's a few reasons and stealing his armchair could be one of them, she's not sure.

"And to read in peace and quiet." She admits.

"I see how it is. You're just using me for my furniture then?" Elijah wonders, he's interested in the fact he can still get away with humor with her with the no lying restriction they both have.

"And your wine. And a few other things." It's the truth again, Elena just isn't going to name them for him unless he asks and she has to answer.

"I see." He says and she laughs at his expression.

"You're using me to become familiar with pop culture and drink your wine, don't act so surprised." Elena retorts and he chuckles at that.

She settles into his armchair and he sits in the other one, slightly less comfortable despite the fact they're almost identical. He reads a thick book that looks decades old, by the delicate looking paper but she pretends like she doesn't look up at him every few chapters. When she becomes more engrossed in her novel, he allows himself to glance at her.

They were both surprised by each other, he thinks. She has to give up human dreams if she ends up picking him over them, not that he would blame her for it. When she's talked about her future, their future, he's noticed that she's never thought of becoming a vampire, she talks easily of old age and dying. Of course his soulmate would be one of the few who would turn down immortality when it's being offered. He's lost in thought as he sees Elena set down her book.

"That was good." She tells him, looking through her bag for something.

"What was it about?"

"A teenage girl loses her dad and she has this destiny she has to come to grips with. It's really good and she's a badass."

"Sounds interesting." He admits and she looks at him.

"It is. I have the sequel in here somewhere." She says, gesturing to her purse, trying to think of which pocket of her purse she stuck the sequel in.

"Do you have any other plans for the afternoon?" He inquires and she shakes her schedule.

"Just reading the sequel here unless you have plans or a different idea." Elena answers easily, she wanted to just be here, just near him and it has nothing to do with answers or desperation. Elena just wanted this, she thinks. It's almost domestic when she thinks about it.

"That sounds like a fine idea." Elijah says and she holds herself back from saying anything because it's dangerous to go down the road of choosing Elijah and it'd be like going over a waterfall if she admitted anything right now. Elena stares at the title page and she realizes that she's doomed. She's already started to go down the road, she's not sure if she can turn back.