AN: Just an hour or two of time has passed from the last chapter. I don't think I'll be able to wrap up 52 stories by January 12, but I am working on wrapping them up!


She's admitted to her family that she's met her soulmate, but not that he's Elijah, the Original vampire. It's too much and she doesn't need the judgement on whatever this fragile thing between them is. She pulls the throw that's folded nicely over the chair over her. Elijah adjusts his position in the other armchair like he's about to get up.

"I can adjust the thermostat." He says and she shakes her head.

"It's not that cold and this throw is nice." She hopes Elijah understands what she means, it's hot outside and it's kind of nice to be cold enough to be able to use a throw when sweater weather is months away. Plus it is his thermostat and he's here more than she is, it's fine.

"Okay." He accepts her answer and she returns to the chapter she's on for a few minutes, pulled back into the story.

"Did you decorate all of this?" Elena looks up from her book with curiosity.

"Partially. Someone else did the finishing touches when I was called away to tend with a more pressing matter." Elijah answers.

"You have good taste." She compliments and the corners of his mouth quirk after she says it.


She's still reading and he allows himself another glance before he attempts to read his book. He's never thought he'd have her and that he'd have to let her go. He's waited for so long for her and she hasn't even considered turning. He'll have to take what he can get, every moment with her is infinitely more precious because it's limited. He wants to love her, but he isn't there yet. But still, she's beautiful and he can tell he's going to fall hard. It feels masochistic just to know her, if they ever fall in love, she's going to age and die. It could be soon or decades away, but the thought sits uncomfortably in his brain, like how a shard of glass would.

He won't force Elena to turn, won't try fruitlessly to convince her. Elena could change her mind and he could influence it, but it's her choice. Vampirism has to be her choice, he didn't get that choice but Elena deserves it. Elena looks up from her book to glance at the time on her phone and he refocuses on his book.


Elena's blinking slowly, her slowing heartbeat tells him she could be close to sleep when her phone beeps loudly and it startles her. She checks it and she smiles, her eyes crinkle as she reads the text message.

"Elijah?" She asks and he looks up from his book fully.

"Yes?" He inquires.

"Do you have coffee?" Elena asks and he nods as he sets his book down.

"I do indeed." Elijah informs her and she smiles at him, eyes crinkling slightly.

"I almost fell asleep. Apparently coffee is always a must." Elena informs him and he laughs lightly. He moves at a human speed, and she watches him.

"Caroline is coming to Mystic Falls to visit her mom next week. I think you two would get along well. Mind if I introduce you two?" Elena asks hesitantly. He knows Caroline is one of her closest friends and he is interested in meeting her anyway.

"Not at all. I would like that." Elijah answers and she tries to imagine him as a human, from his human days at her age.

"Perfect. I'll let her know." Elena says as he hands her the warm mug of coffee. Sugar and creamer are next to the coffee pot and she sets the mug down to add a bit of both to the mug.


It's the fact that she's almost completely comfortable. Elijah's reading that ancient book still despite the fact he could probably just vampire speed read it. Elena glances at him, but doesn't say anything. She just drinks her coffee and tries not to think too much. It's dark out when she thinks about leaving.

"Can I see you tomorrow?" She asks and Elijah's lips quirk slightly.

"Whatever you want, lovely Elena." He says and something in her stomach reacts to that. It's not butterflies, she tells herself. It just isn't.

"Goodnight Elijah." She says as she hovers by her car.

"Goodnight Elena." He says and within a minute, she's in her car, driving away, out into the dark night. There's a lot to think about, for both of them.