Stefan held Elena in his arms and didn't ever want to let her go.
He could feel the tension in her body wearing off, and Stefan did everything he could to make her feel loved in his arms.
After a while longer Stefan realized that it was getting late, and he knew Elena really wanted to go to the lake.
"I would love to stay like this forever, but I think the lake is calling our name," he murmured into her hair while she was still in his embrace, "What do you think?"
She looked at him and her face lit up.
She smiled and nodded her head excitingly at Stefan, and he chuckled.
"What are we waiting for then, let's go," he said as he kissed her temple and extended his hand out to her.
She took it and they walked to the lake together hand in hand, but she was still incredibly insecure.
She hated that Stefan had to see her this way.
She quickly wrapped her free hand around her stomach trying her best to cover her most prominent scars, but the ones down her thighs and on her chest and back still remained exposed.
She just wished they would go away, but they will mark her skin forever.
Stefan quickly noticed what she was doing, and he needed her to know that she never needs to hide from him.
He stopped walking and gently placed his other hand on top of hers that was covering her stomach.
He softly pulled her arm away from her stomach and looked her in the eyes silently asking permission before removing her hand completely.
Elena watched as he slowly kneeled down in front of her and brought his lips to her most prominent scar.
He trailed gentle kisses across the whole thing that reached from her lower stomach up to her neck.
Elena closed her eyes as his gentle touch soothed the area.
Flashes of the memory of how she was given that scar flew through her mind, but now they were mixed with the feeling of Stefan's lips.
While Elena knew that he could never erase the scars from her body, or the memories that came with them, because of Stefan her perception of them changed.
As Stefan embraced the darkest part of her, she began to do so as well.
Stefan slowly stood back up in front of Elena and cupped her face in his hands.
"I love you, Elena. Your scars don't define you, and they most certainly could never change how I feel about you. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me," he said as he gently caressed her cheeks.
"Please don't hide from me. I love every part of you."
Tears welled up in her eyes as she leaned her head against Stefan's chest.
He kissed her hair before wrapping his arm around her as they continued to walk to the lake side by side.
Elena felt as though she had to hold onto Stefan.
It was like he was the good and if she wasn't in his arms all the bad things would consume her.
Almost as if he was a bright light protecting her from all the darkness.
Finally, they reached the dock and Elena's eyes went wide.
It was exactly how she remembered it.
The blue water sparkled against the sun and went on for what seemed like forever.
Flashes of memories from her past consumed her, but these were not bad memories, they were her only good memories.
She remembers her dad teaching her how to swim and sitting on her mom's lap on the dock as they watched the sun set.
She remembered the smells of her dad's grill when he used to cook them the most delicious hamburgers.
She just closed her eyes and breathed everything in.
She couldn't believe she was actually back.
She couldn't believe she survived to see this again.
Stefan was still holding her close as she took in her surroundings, and he made everything complete.
While she was reliving her past, she could feel her future's arms around her.
She melted into his being, relishing in his gentle kisses and soft touches.
For years the only kind of touch Elena knew was one that caused her pain, but Stefan showed her how good touch could feel again.
Elena looked up at Stefan and smiled.
It was the most genuine smile she has worn in a very long time.
She felt safe, warm, and above all happy.
As Stefan looked into her eyes his heart melted at her expression.
For the first time in a while, she truly seemed at peace.
Her smile spread onto his face as he took it in.
He loved her so much, more than he thought possible.
Her happiness was his happiness, and all he ever wanted was to make her happy.
He captured her lips in a small kiss, but every time their lips connect, he is still shocked by how she makes him feel.
He knows that he has been alive on this Earth for all these years in order to find her.
He knows that she is the one.
After a short moment he pulled away and gave her a big smile before sprinting off the dock and cannonballing into the lake.
Elena shrieked with laughter as he splashed her with his jump.
His head came back up from under water and he held his arms out for Elena to jump in with him.
"The water feels amazing Elena!" Stefan said with a huge smile on his face.
"Please don't make your boyfriend swim alone," he said motioning her to join him.
She walked to the end of the dock and jumped into his arms.
She wraps her legs around his waist as he effortlessly keeps them afloat.
"Oh, so you are my boyfriend now?" she said with a mischievous grin as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
Their faces were almost touching.
"Well, if I wasn't your boyfriend could I do this?" he asked as he kissed her cheek.
"Or this?" he asked placing a small kiss on her forehead.
"Or this, or this, or this, or this, or this" he said as he placed kisses everywhere on her body except for her lips, causing Elena squeal with laughter unable to contain herself.
"And if I wasn't your boyfriend," he said softly as he tucked a strand of wet hair behind her ear, her heartrate speeding up, "Would I be able to do this?" he asked as he captured her lips in a breathtaking kiss.
Her heart stopped beating all together as his lips met hers.
Nothing else mattered besides the man holding her and kissing her.
He was not only her boyfriend, but her whole world.
He was everything to Elena.
Every single move he made against her skin would make Elena's heart flutter.
After a moment Stefan pulled back and looked into her eyes with so much love in his heart.
She looked so beautiful.
The sun reflected perfectly off of her skin as it began to set.
Her cheeks were so rosy, and her eyes were still the same as when he first saw her.
He loved her big chocolate brown eyes.
Her hair was wet and fell all around them, and her lips were slightly parted and all he wanted to do was kiss them again and again.
Elena was still in his arms and neither of them were planning to move anytime soon.
"I love you Stefan," Elena said as she looked into his eyes.
"I love you too Elena," he said planting one last small kiss on her lips.
After a while of swimming and laughing, they climbed back on the dock remaining wrapped up in each other's arms.
Stefan placed a warm towel around Elena as they watched the sunset together.
Elena was enchanted by all the colors.
She watched in wonder as the sky changed from blue to orange to pink to yellow in a matter of minutes.
Stefan couldn't keep his eyes off of Elena.
He watched her take in the beautiful view and vowed to himself that he will show her everything beautiful in this world.
He will make sure that she gets to make up for the time she spent trapped underground.
It physically pains him that she was stuck under there for so long without seeing the sun.
That she was stuck under there getting beaten and abused for who knows how long.
A shudder went down his spine as he thought of what else Klaus could have done to her while she was down there for so long.
Whenever it's quiet, his mind always finds a way to wonder back there, and every time it does Stefan wants to scream.
He looks at the angel in his arms and he can't fathom that anyone could ever hurt her.
She is the most precious being in this world, and the most important person in his life.
He snapped out of his thoughts as he felt her shiver against his chest.
He didn't even realize that the sun had completely set.
"Want to go inside and warm up?" he asked her.
She nodded her head quickly, so they walked back to the house hand in hand.
He drew her a bath and she watched him as he put all this stuff in it that she has never seen before.
It made the bath smell so good, and she just closed her eyes and breathed in the scent.
What was it? Lavender?
She didn't know but it smelled heavenly.
She smiled as she watched him put all this effort into making the bath just for her.
Moments later it was filled with bubbles, and just looked like a warm scented heaven.
Stefan left a dry towel on the ledge for her and walked back to her and gently kissed her forehead.
"Enjoy my love," he said as he cupped her cheeks in his hands, "I'll be in the other room."
He caressed her cheeks one last time before turning away to leave the room.
No, Elena thought to herself.
She didn't want Stefan to leave.
She looked at the luxurious bath in front of her and she wanted to share it with Stefan more than anything.
"Stay," she whispered desperately as Stefan was almost at the door.
"Please stay with me Stefan."
He turned around to face her and could see the longing in her eyes.
He slowly walked back to her and looked into her beautiful brown eyes, eyes that he could never say no to.
"Are you sure Lena?" he asked her softly, and she automatically nodded her head.
Elena has never been more sure of anything in her life.
"I trust you Stefan with everything. I trust you with my body, with my heart, and with my life. I am sure," she said as she closed the gap between them.
Slowly, she turned around and motioned towards the strings of her bikini.
"Can you please help me?" she asked as she looked over her shoulder at a stunned Stefan.
A moment later he put his hands on the strings of her bikini top and slowly untied it for her.
It eventually dropped to the floor revealing her perfect figure.
She slowly turned around and looked into Stefan's eyes as she brought her hands to the bottom of his shirt slowly rising it over his head.
Stefan's skin felt like it was on fire under her touch.
His heart skipped a beat as she finally took off his shirt and began to trace his skin with her fingers.
Her mere touch was driving him to the brink of insanity.
She was the most attractive woman he has ever been with, not only because of her physical beauty, but because of her heart.
She had the most kind beautiful heart he had ever met, and he would protect and cherish it at all costs.
He was the embodiment of perfection.
Her eyes lingered down to the toned v shape of his abs that continued into his pants.
Slowly she traced her fingers down his chest lingering on the waistband of his shorts.
She smiled as she saw the affect she had over him.
She untied his pants letting them slide down his legs.
Stefan walked over to Elena and cupped her face in his hand.
"Are you sure this is still okay?" he asked softly.
"Yes, I am sure Stefan, I love you."
"I love you too," he said as began to kiss down her neck, "So so much," he breathed out as he continued to leave gentle yet passionate kisses down her body.
Elena began to writhe under his touch.
His lips on her skin sent tingles through her whole body.
She began to fist his hair as he kneeled down in front of her kissing her stomach.
Finally, he got down to her final article of clothing and looked back up at her.
Elena looked down at him and smiled, giving him permission.
She loved how cautious he was with her, but she really wished he wouldn't be.
She wanted him to see all of her, she was not nervous anymore.
After he took off her bikini bottoms, he lifted her up bridal style and Elena wrapped her arms around his neck.
Elena giggled as he brought them to the tub, and Stefan still couldn't think of a sound he loves more than her laugh.
He slowly lowers them down into the bath, and Elena sighs in contentment as bubbles engulf her being.
Stefan positions them to where she is resting on him, with her head lying comfortably on his chest.
Stefan looks at the angel on his chest and smiles at the look on her face.
Her eyes are shut, and a huge smile is on her lips.
Stefan kisses her hair and strokes it soothingly as he looks down at her.
He has never seen her more relaxed than she was in this moment.
Elena felt warm, clean, and loved.
She relished in Stefan's gentle touch, and she has never felt more thankful for anyone as she does for him.
After a moment, Elena opened her eyes and looked up at Stefan.
"Thank you," she whispered against his chest, "for everything."
"You don't need to thank me love," he murmured back as he continued to stroke her hair.
"No but I do," she replied cutting him off, "I don't think you understand everything you have done for me. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you Stefan, you quite literally saved my life. Every terrible thing that has happened to me happened for a reason, because if it wasn't for my past, I wouldn't have met you. I love you, Stefan. I love you so much," she said as she placed her head back on his chest pressing closely against him.
Tears filled Stefan's eyes as he encircled his arms around her.
He hates thinking about what could have happened to her if Damon never found her in the woods.
She would have certainly died out there, and he can't get the horrifying image of her freezing in the woods alone as she starved to death.
He holds her tighter as he presses a kiss against her temple trying to brush away those thoughts.
She is here with him right now and that is all that matters.
He took a deep breathe wiping away his tears before he spoke in a soft voice.
"In the horrible moment I saw you with Damon, everything changed for me. Right away I could tell that you were special, and from then on, I knew I would protect you no matter what. Elena, I love you more than life. I need you to know that I will always be here for you and always take care of you," he said as more tears trickled down his cheek.
Flashes of her dying ran through his mind again, but this time he can't keep the tears from falling. One second she is freezing to death in the woods, the next Klaus abused her so bad that she didn't survive, and the next Damon is feeding on her until her body becomes limp on the ground.
He began to tremble beneath her as these horrid scenarios filled his brain.
Elena could feel him shaking underneath her and turned around to see tears steadily running down his cheeks.
Her heart broke as she took in his pained expression and wanted to wash it away more than anything.
She gently brought her hand up to his cheeks and wiped away his tears with her thumb.
She planted a soft kiss against his chest as she took his hand in hers.
"What's wrong?" she asked him softly although she got no answer.
"Please talk to me Stefan, please," she pleaded, desperately needing to know the cause of his sudden change of emotions.
"It's just that," he croaked out quietly as another flash of pain washed over his face, "It's just that I can't stop thinking about what would have happened to you. I can't get the awful images out of my head of you in pain and not being able to help you. Flashes of you- of you-," Stefan tried to get out, but more tears streamed out of his eyes making him unable to talk.
"Shhh- it's okay," she cooed as she rubbed circles around his chest, "What is it, Stefan? Flashes of what?"
"Flashes of you dying," he cried out- an unbearable sadness consuming his voice.
"Hey, hey, no no no no no," she soothed as she cupped his face in her hands, "I'm here Stefan, I'm right here."
"What if I was too late?" Stefan rasped as tears still streamed down his cheeks.
"What if Damon never found you in the woods? W-What if D-Damon k-killed y-y-you?" he sobbed.
Elena's heart broke, she hated seeing him like this, and she hated even more that she was the source of his pain.
She brought her head up to place a soft kiss on his lips before encircling her arms around him.
"But Stefan, you weren't too late. I am here because of you. I am alive and breathing because of you. Remember that Stefan, please remember that," she said softly doing everything in her power to soothe him.
She looked into his eyes that were still filled with tears, and he simply nodded his head unable to speak without them spilling over again.
She nuzzled her head in his chest and could feel his arms tightening around her.
"I'm here Stefan, I'm right here," she whispered again into his chest.
She closed her eyes and smiled as she felt his lips on her hair.
His breathing evened out as he held her in his embrace.
She was here and she was safe he reminded himself as he hugged her tighter.
After a while longer of lying in each other's arms, it became late and the water began to cool down.
"You ready to get out?" Elena murmured softly against Stefan's chest.
He nodded and right as they got out Stefan dried them off with a fluffy towel making sure Elena was warm and dry before taking her to bed.
Although Elena now has her own set of pajamas, Stefan still handed her favorite one of his sweatshirts to her.
She smiled becoming overwhelmed by his scent as she put it on.
They crawled into bed cuddling close to one and other.
Stefan's arms were wound tightly around Elena, and her head was resting comfortably on his chest.
Neither of them wanted to move, they could have stayed like that forever.
Elena's eyes became heavy as the day began to wear on her.
She nuzzled her head into Stefan's chest as she shut her eyes.
The steady motion of Stefan's hand stroking her hair lulling her to sleep.
Stefan looked at Elena and his heart swelled with love for her.
He just wanted to hold her in his arms and never let go.
She was his everything and he could not bear the thought of losing her.
"I love you," he told her softly as he continued to stroke her hair.
Her eyes slowly opened, and a smile spread across her lips.
Although she was half asleep, she tilted her head up and softly brushed her lips against his before cuddling back into his chest and closing her eyes again.
Stefan could not wipe the smile off of his face as sleep began to consume him as well.
They both fell asleep happy in each other's arms, cherishing the time they have together.