Elena cuddles up to Elijah's side, resting her head on his shoulder and enjoying the press of bare skin against bare skin as she basks in the afterglow. Elijah holds her close, running a hand gently through her hair and then sliding his hand down to tenderly caress her back.
Elena peeks up at him as his caresses begin to form a pattern. It's one she recognizes from prior moments just like this; he's traced it into her skin so many times, Elena thinks she could imitate the pattern in her sleep. "Does it mean something?" she asks, her curiosity finally getting the best of her.
"Hmm?" Elijah replies, smiling down at her fondly.
"Whatever you're tracing into my skin – does it mean something?" Elena asks again.
Elijah freezes, as if he's been caught. For a moment, she wonders if he isn't going to answer. "I love you," he tells her.
It's the first time he's told her that.
"I love you too," Elena replies, leaning up for a kiss. Elijah's lips meet hers softly, lovingly. Though Elena already knew – it would be impossible to miss how he looks at her, how he itouches/i her – she's so happy they've finally spoken the words aloud.
"I am gratified to hear that, my lovely Elena," Elijah whispers against her lips as they part. Elena smiles and pulls him down for yet another kiss.
Later, after their second round of lovemaking, Elena feels Elijah trace the same pattern into her skin again. "You never told me what it means," she murmurs softly against the skin of his shoulder.
"It is a long-forgotten language," Elijah tells her. "The symbols translate to 'I love you.'"
Elena pauses for a moment. Elijah has been tracing these symbols on her skin for weeks – since the first time they slept together.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she asks. Elijah gently cups her cheek, staring down at her with those dark eyes.
"I did not want to rush you," Elijah tells her. "We have forever."
"And always," Elena murmurs, before pulling him into another kiss. (And a third round of lovemaking.)
