Stefan woke up and as he rolled onto his side all he felt was empty sheets next to him.
Instantly panic consumed his whole entire being when he didn't see Elena in bed with him.
His heart dropped.
What if Damon came back?
What if he took her?
The thought of her in pain again made Stefan's heartrate accelerate as he frantically searched for her.
"No, no, no, no, no," he muttered to himself when she was nowhere to be found.
Stefan went into a complete panic as a million scenarios ran through his head about where she could be, and every single one of them made Stefan want to die.
He sped out of his room and suddenly the smell of burnt bacon mixed with coffee hit his nostrils.
He peered over the ledge and relief flooded through every part of his body.
Elena was safe.
She was in the kitchen, and it seemed to him like she was trying to make breakfast.
He watched her as she struggled to fit half the box of bacon into the toaster oven.
He laughed quietly to himself as she groaned in frustration.
The tips of the bacon strips hung out of the top of the toaster, while the rest were burning up on the inside.
She was so adorable that Stefan just wanted to watch her attempt to cook all day, but he decided to stop her before she caused a fire.
He slowly made his way down the stairs and wrapped his arms around Elena's back when he came into the kitchen.
She practically jumped out of her skin until she realized it was him and melted back into his arms.
"Sorry I didn't mean to startle you," Stefan whispered while placing a gentle kiss on the side of her neck.
He held her in his gentle embrace slightly swaying with her as he reminded himself that she is safe.
"It's okay," she said with a smile, her face was still bright red.
Stefan loved it when she blushed.
It was one of the things that made her Elena.
She turned around to face him before she started to talk in fast motion.
Stefan had never heard her speak so fast.
"I know how this looks," she started as she motioned to the bacon stuffed in the toaster before she continued, "I just really really wanted to make you breakfast, but I was never taught how to cook, but then I was like how hard could it be, so I came downstairs and put the cold slimy bacon in the warm toaster thingy but then…"
Stefan stopped her rambling with a breathtaking kiss.
Automatically Elena stopped talking and succumbed to the feeling of his lips on hers.
Both of them knew the other one felt it.
It felt like coming home.
After a few more moments Stefan pulled back to look at Elena.
Her eyes were still closed as she took in the kiss.
His heart was so happy and full as he looked at her.
Suddenly Stefan smelled the awful burning smell and saw a thick cloud of smoke coming out of the toaster.
Quickly he pulled the bacon out of the toaster and set them down on a plate next to the sink.
Him and Elena just looked at the black shriveled strips on the plate before they both broke out into a fit of laughter.
"I just wanted to make you breakfast," Elena said as she fake cried looking at her sorry attempt at making bacon.
"I know baby," he said as he wrapped an arm around her and kissed her head.
"Would you like me to teach you how to cook?" Stefan asked.
Elena's smile grew as she eagerly nodded her head.
"I have always wanted to learn how to cook. Please show me your ways Chef Salvatore," Elena said with a smirk.
"I will be calling you Chef Gilbert by the time I'm through with you," he said smiling at her joke.
Recently her personality has began to shine through, and Stefan loved seeing her like this.
Honestly he just loved seeing her happy in general.
"You had the right idea with the bacon but instead we are going to put it on the stove," Stefan said as he began to heat up a pan.
Elena just nodded as she watched him intently.
"Now I want you to take a piece of bacon and lay it flat on the pan."
Elena grabbed a piece of bacon and did exactly as she was told, jumping slightly as the bacon made a sizzling sound against the pan.
"Don't worry, that sound means that you are doing it right," Stefan said encouragingly making Elena relax.
"Now take a few more pieces and I want you to do the exact same thing."
"Okay," Elena said as she put more bacon on the stove, but this time smiling as it sizzled against the pan.
"You're doing great. Once you think it is crispy on that side, I want you to flip it over to the other side," Stefan instructed.
Elena waited for a few more moments, but right before she was about to flip it, she stopped and looked at Stefan.
Stefan just gave her an encouraging smile and she flipped the bacon over perfectly.
"Hey you're a natural at this," Stefan said as she proudly looked at the bacon sizzling on the pan.
"Now I am going to teach you how to cook the best scrambled eggs you will ever taste."
Elena nodded her head, eager to learn.
The whole time Elena never took her eyes off of Stefan as he taught her how to cook, and before she knew it the most delicious plate was in front of her.
It was filled with perfectly cooked crispy bacon, and the fluffiest eggs she had ever seen.
She didn't even want to eat them they looked so perfect.
Stefan took a bite of the eggs, and his eyes went wide.
Elena smiled at his reaction and let out a small giggle.
"Not bad, not bad at all," Stefan said as he shoveled more eggs into his mouth.
"Well I did learn from the best," Elena said with a small smirk.
"That is very true… I am the best," Stefan said smirking back at her, faking his ego.
Elena leaned closer to Stefan and shoved him playfully in the shoulder.
Stefan pretended to be hurt making a face at Elena, but they both knew that he couldn't even feel where her hand touched him.
Stefan and Elena ate happily together enjoying the meal.
With every bite Elena felt more and more proud of herself that she actually made this.
Learning how to cook was never even a possibility for her, and now she made her breakfast all by herself.
She took a few more bites and she was stuffed- her body wasn't used to eating three meals a day yet.
Stefan noticed that she stopped eating after only one piece of bacon and barely even half of her eggs.
Every meal that they have had together Elena barely eats anything, and this has begun to seriously worry Stefan.
She was still extremely underweight and Stefan knew that if she doesn't start to eat more soon it could really affect her health.
He would never pressure her into anything, but he knew how damaging not getting enough nutrients can be to a person' s body.
He noticed that there were two pieces of bacon left on her plate, and he had an idea of how to get her to eat at least one of them.
"Hey Lena, you're bacon is really sad and wants to be eaten," Stefan said as he looked down at the bacon while pouting.
"Stefan bacon doesn't have feelings."
"Shhh don't let her offend you, she doesn't mean it I promise," Stefan said to the bacon.
"You are being ridiculous!" Elena laughed as Stefan began to lightly stroke the bacon with his finger.
Stefan picked up the piece of bacon and slowly brought it closer to Elena's lips while repeatedly chanting, "Eat me, eat me, eat me," over and over in a silly voice.
Finally when the bacon was resting on her closed lips Stefan whispered, "Please Elena, please eat at least one more piece."
Her whole expression changed as she saw the concern for her in his eyes.
She knows that she hasn't been eating enough, but it has just been really hard for her to adjust.
A smile spread across her lips as she took the piece of bacon from Stefan's hand and put it in her mouth.
He smiled with her as she ate the last strip.
He hated that he had to push her, but he knew that she would never eat it on her own.
If she just ate a little more at every meal she would be able to get back to a healthy weight.
After Elena finished eating, she climbed into Stefan's lap and nuzzled her head into his chest.
She smiled as he wrapped his arms around her and began humming soothingly in her ear.
"I could stay like this all day," Elena whispered, her head still buried in his chest.
"Me too," Stefan breathed out while stroking her hair, "There is no place I would rather be."
They sat there soaking in each other's presence, completely content.
Elena melted into Stefan's arms, soaking up the comforts of his embrace.
He had this calming effect over her that could instantly put her at ease.
"I feel so safe," she murmured almost inaudibly against Stefan's chest, her eyes still closed as he stroked her hair.
His heart swelled as he saw how calm she was in his embrace.
There was not a trace of fear or pain in her expression, she looked completely content..
"Because you are," he whispered as he continued to stroke her hair, "no one will lay a hand on you again," he promised.
Elena nuzzled her body even closer to Stefan's as she soaked up all the love and comfort it had to offer.
Eventually, Stefan gently picked her up in his arms and sat them down on the couch- positioning them so Elena rested comfortably against his chest.
He handed her the remote control and suddenly a huge smile lit up her features.
Her smile just makes her even more beautiful Stefan thought to himself.
"Why are you smiling so big sweetheart?" Stefan asked, "Not that I am complaining or anything."
"It's dumb," Elena said as heat rushed to her cheeks.
"Nothing you say can ever be dumb. What is it baby?" Stefan asked.
"It's just that I haven't watched TV for a really long time and I'm excited," Elena said shyly as she buried her head into his chest.
"Well lucky for you we can watch whatever your heart desires," Stefan chuckled as he kissed her head.
After a while of searching they finally landed on the Notebook.
The Notebook was never Stefan's favorite but he was more interested in watching Elena anyways.
She was so invested in the film that Stefan swears he didn't see her blink once.
Throughout the movie Stefan never let go of Elena once.
He held her the whole time as he alternated between stroking her hair, rubbing her back, or leaving gentle kisses on her skin.
She was so perfectly relaxed in Stefan's arms that he couldn't get the smile off of his face.
After the movie came to an end Elena's eyes were red and puffy as tears still streamed down her face.
"Hey Elena, don't be sad," Stefan said as he wiped the tears away from her eyes, "Allie and Noah got to be together in the end."
"B-But they died," Elena replied quietly as her bottom lip quivered.
"Yes, that might be true, but I believe that they found peace together. Their lives may not have been perfect, but they did it together. In my opinion that is the most important part. They were together until their very last moments."
Elena just let his words sink in for a minute and became lost in thought.
"What's on your mind Elena?"
She looked away from Stefan before she asked him in a small voice, "Do you ever wish you could grow old?"
Stefan looked at her for a moment and understood what she was really asking.
"Do you mean do I ever wish I could go back to being human?" he asked softly.
Elena just nodded against his chest.
"Honestly, I have always hated being a vampire, but I have never wanted to be human as badly as I do now."
"Why?" Elena asked curiously as she turned her head to look him in the eyes.
"Because now I have finally found someone I want to grow old with," Stefan replied as he gently pocked her on the nose.
Sure enough after he did this the cutest little laugh escaped her lips and it warmed Stefan's heart.
"What's so funny," Stefan teased as he lightly tickled her stomach, "Why are you laughing so much? Huh? Huh?" Stefan continued to joke as she began to shriek with laughter.
"S-Stefan!" she got out as Stefan continued to tickle her.
She squirmed in his embrace unable to form coherent sentences.
She could barely breathe she was laughing so hard, never mind speak real words.
Eventually Stefan stopped tickling her, but while she was catching her breathe he pressed his lips against her stomach and blew the loudest raspberry Elena has ever heard against her skin.
Elena tilted her head back as laughter consumed her yet again.
She does not remember the last time she has ever laughed like this and it felt good- really good.
Tears began to stream down her face as Stefan continued to press soft kisses against her skin.
Although these tears weren't even close to the ones that she was used to- her tears were from how hard she was laughing.
Finally Elena caught her breath, a gigantic smile still displayed across her lips.
She felt warm, happy and loved.
A feeling only Stefan could giver her.
Suddenly the most awful thought consumed her brain.
What if she lost him?
Before Stefan could say anything, Elena just threw her arms around his neck, burying her face in his shoulder.
She realized she was practically holding onto him for dear life.
He is everything good in this world and the mere thought of losing him made her feel like she was dying.
The very thought sent a wave of darkness over her that began to crush her from within.
Stefan's body tensed underneath Elena's as he felt a tear drop fall onto his shirt.
"Elena?" Stefan asked worry evident in his voice.
He tried to look at her but she just hid her face in his chest, refusing to look at him.
"Please look at me," Stefan pleaded as he cradled her face between his hands.
Slowly she let him lift up her face to look at him.
She was ashamed by the steady stream of tears that were now streaming down her cheeks.
"Oh sweetheart," Stefan whispered as he caressed her cheeks with the gentlest touch he could give her.
His look softened as he wiped away her tears with his thumb.
"What's wrong honey?" he asked as his eyes searched hers, confused by her sudden change in emotions.
One second she was laughing hysterically and the next she was so upset.
He just wanted to know what's wrong so he can make it better.
"I-It's just that everyone I have ever loved has died. Stefan if I lost you too, I- I don't think I could… Stefan… I couldn't- I- I," her words were cut off as her cries began to increase turning into small gasps and sobs.
"Hey, no no no no," Stefan shushed her gently.
"I am right here and I am never going anywhere," he promised, his heart aching as he felt her small form shaking in his arms.
"Come here beautiful," Stefan whispered as he pulled her closer to his chest, stoking her hair soothingly.
He continued to do this as he softly shushed her, trying to steady her breathing.
"You will always have me," he said against her hair while rocking her back and forth.
"I love you, Elena, I love you."
Her head instantly shot up right after those words left his mouth.
"You love me?" Elena breathed out in shock- like she could not believe he could possibly love her.
"Yes," he said instantly as he looked into her big beautiful brown eyes that were still filled with tears, "I love you more than I ever thought was possible, I love you when you smile, I love you when you laugh, I even love you when you cry," he said wiping more tears away from her eyes.
"I will love you no matter what."
She just looked up at him in awe.
She couldn't believe he loved her- that he actually loved her.
"I love you too," Elena whispered still in shock.
Instantly Stefan's arms were around her again and she began to sob into his shoulder.
"I love you, I love you, I love you," she repeated over and over again into his embrace.
"I'm right here my sweet girl," he murmured kissing her head, "You won't lose me Elena, I promise."
As he continued to hold her in his embrace, a pang of sadness swept over him.
He realized that although she won't lose him, one day he will inevitably loose her.
Forever young and seventeen, frozen in time as the world keeps going all around him.
Before her it never meant all that much to Stefan, but now she has put everything into perspective.
One day he will have to be without her.
For now he pushed those grim thoughts out of his head and looked back down at the girl curled up on his lap.
As he looked at her he felt a rush of gratitude spread throughout his body.
He was so grateful that he gets the privilege to hold and love the precious girl in his arms.
He thinks about how lucky he is that he gets to feel her love so completely in return.
He looked down at Elena and she was already staring at him.
Something in her eyes had changed though.
They were not filled with sadness anymore, it was something else.
To Stefan it looked like desire, maybe even lust.
He gently stroked the side of her face, tracing her lips with his thumb.
"So beautiful," Stefan murmured, his fingers igniting tiny sparks against her lips.
Elena blushed at the compliment, yearning to feel his lips against hers again.
They both slowly began to lean in, they were so close that she could feel his breath on her face.
"Kiss me," Elena breathed out, "Please Stefan, please."
Stefan gently cupped her face in his hands, and her heartbeat decided to skip a beat as he slowly lowered his lips onto hers.
All rational thoughts completely vanished as Stefan's soft lips slowly caressed hers.
He took up every single one of her senses, his sent becoming hypnotic beyond reason.
Elena slightly parted her lips, letting him consume her, silencing her thoughts.
No longer was she thinking about losing him, because he right there with her, leaving her breathless.
She was completely at his mercy, melting into him as he proved to her how much he truly loved her.
His hands softly caressed her hair so reassuringly that she felt her body go weak at his touch.
She relished in the weight of his body on hers as she gave into the feeling of his lips dancing against hers.
He was the epitome of everything good, he was like her own personal ray of sunlight always streaming down on her.
To Stefan, it was as if time had stopped right there.
No one else existed but her.
He slightly pulled back to see the look in her eyes.
She was beautiful- so breathtakingly beautiful, and he was unconditionally, irrevocably in love with her.
He gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, painstakingly slow to elongate this moment.
The anticipation was tearing her to shreds before he pulled her to him again uniting them for the second time.
Stefan wanted to cry out as her lips brushed against his.
With her lips on his, and hands in his hair, Stefan has never felt this kind of longing before.
He wanted Elena, he wanted to make her feel so special and so loved.
Nothing has ever felt so right to Stefan in the one hundred and sixty four years he has walked this Earth than Elena being in his arms- nothing has felt so perfect.
A shiver went down his spine as a quiet moan escaped her lips.
She began to fist his hair as he continued to kiss her, as he continued to love her.
A deep burning rose from her stomach as his kisses lingered on her lips.
For the first time in her life, Elena felt free.
Nothing was containing her, or pushing her down.
In fact, in this very moment it was the complete opposite.
With Stefan she quite literally felt like she was flying, like she could be or do whatever she wanted.
She will be forever grateful to the man that is holding her- the man that saved her life.
As the kisses began intensify, Elena's breath hitched in her throat.
Stefan could tell this was a sign that Elena was not ready to go further with him, so he gently pulled back.
Stefan began to softly caress her lips with small pecks that made her heart pound each and every time his lips met hers until he came to a stop.
He slowly wrapped his arms around her and eased her into his chest.
Her head was resting against his body as he stroked her hair.
She smiled as she felt him pressing gentle kisses against her hair.
Her eyes were closed but Stefan knew she was still wide awake.
"I love you Elena," Stefan murmured resting his lips on her hair.
She looked back up at him, and her glance said more than a million words ever could.
"I love you too," she whispered back.
"I promise you, you will not lose me, I will be right here," were the last words she heard before drifting off into a peaceful sleep.