2 months later
Stefan panted, leaning against a lamppost outside of his and Elena's apartment. He checked his watch, making sure his morning run had not taken longer than he had planned. Stefan pushed himself off the post and glanced at the windows of the building above. His eyes zeroed in on their bedroom window and a smile crept onto his features at the thought of Elena sleeping peacefully in their bed. He fished his keys out of his pocket, opening the door to the building.
The sun was flooding their room when Stefan walked in. A ray of sunlight fell across Elena's sleeping features. Her beauty was breathtaking. Sometimes Stefan wondered how he had gotten so lucky with Elena, today was one of those times.
Glancing around the room brought a smile to Stefan's face, Elena's things had integrated themselves into the room along with his. The mix of their possessions was what made this apartment feel more like home than anywhere Stefan had ever lived before. He softly approached the sleeping Elena, lightly sitting down on the bed next to her. He bent forward, laying a gentle kiss on Elena's temple. She stirred. "Morning, Elena." She lifted her head from her pillow.
"Morning, Stefan." She smiled sleepily at him.
"Practice starts in an hour and a half. I'm going to make breakfast, okay?" She nodded. "Okay." He kissed her head one last time before getting up and heading to the kitchen.
Stefan stood at the stove while Elena sat at the kitchen island, typing at her computer. Stefan found the rhythmic taping of her fingers soothing as he worked. Their kitchen was filled with silence, companionable silence of two people completely at ease together.
"Today is the anniversary of my parent's death."
Stefan turned to Elena, watching her face. "We never talked about that." He paused, the eggs forgotten. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"I think I'm ready to tell you how they died." Stefan nodded at her to continue. "Jeremy and I had just gotten home for Thanksgiving break. My dad was making dinner and my mom was helping him. They were out of butter." Her eyes were distant as spoke, tears shimmering in the corners. "I offered to go get some and Jer came with; we hadn't seen each other in forever. I got a call when we were at the store. It was the sheriff." Her voice faltered as she fought the tears.
Stefan crossed the distance between them. He stroked her face, wiping her tears and tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ears. "Take you time, Lena." His thumb stroked her cheek as he spoke.
She smiled up at him, grabbing the hand on her face. "A fire started, they aren't sure how. It was probably a grease fire. My whole house went up, my parents..." She hiccupped, more tears flowing. Stefan kissed her cheeks, wiping the tears away with his lips. "They didn't make it." Tears cascaded down her face as Stefan pulled her into his chest. She sobbed into his shoulder. He held her tight, rocking her in his arms as she cried.
When her sobs began to subside Stefan gently pried her face from his chest. "I am so sorry you had to go through that." He said, holding her face in his hands.
Elena looked up at him. "Besides Jeremy I don't have any family left." Her eyes were so sad; Stefan felt his heart breaking for her.
"You have me, Elena. I will never leave you alone. I promise." Elena nodded; she was overcome with emotion and unable to speak. Stefan pulled her back to his chest, kissing her hair. "I love you so much."
"I love you too."
"Alright, Ladies. We leave Wednesday for Arizona and the Wildcat Invite. For those of you date-challenged that is two days away. After practice, we will talk about logistical details. Right now we are going to work on our weaknesses." A groan reverberated throughout the pool from where the girls were situated on the bleachers. Nik chuckled. "Starts and turns today."
Stefan stood beside Nik; arms crossed as he listened to his friend address the team. "But first," An evil grin twisted Nik's face, "vertical kicking. Up and at 'em." Only Elena gave any sign that she had heard Nik, and her only movement was to raise an eyebrow at Stefan. "Now!" The bleachers clanged as the girls climbed down.
Nik caught Elena's arm as she passed. "How are you doing, Love?"
Elena shrugged, glancing over at Stefan. He smiled reassuringly at her. "I'm doing alright, Nik. Thanks for asking." She smiled at him.
"I know Stefan is taking good care of you, but if you two need anything, do not hesitate to ask. Stefan is like a brother to me and that makes you my sister by extension."
"Thanks, Nik. It really means a lot." Elena hugged him before heading towards the pool.
Nik watched all the girls, ensuring none of them ducked into the locker room in evasion. He turned to his brother. "Kol, two minutes kicking, thirty seconds rest. Five times. It they slack add on. Got it?" The younger brother nodded. "Great, thanks."
Nik turned to Stefan. "What do you say to a little in water instruction?" Stefan shrugged. "Do you have your suit?"
"I can run home and get it. It's just a five minute walk. Do you want me to?" Nik nodded. "Alright, I will be right back."
Stefan turned to leave but Nik caught his arm. "What do you say we have a little fun after? Show them the Rippa?"
Stefan grinned. "Sounds like fun." Nik returned Stefan's grin before releasing him.
Elena dragged herself to the wall, legs dead after vertical kicking. Some of the other girls had cheated towards the end, causing Kol to add two more cycles of kicking. She looked up just in time to catch sight of Stefan walking out of the men's locker room. He wore nothing but a black drag suit, leaving much of his muscular legs exposed. Elena stared appreciatively at her lover's powerful body.
"Oh my god. Stefan is even hotter in a suit." Elena turned to Vicki. She was staring at Stefan and she wasn't alone. The sight of Stefan in his suit enraptured the entire pool, minus Nik and Kol.
He turned slightly, exposing his right shoulder. He stood too far from the pool for the girls to make out his tattoo.
"I wonder what his tattoo is. God damn he is hot." Vicki said.
"It's a rose." Elena blurted before she could stop herself. Everyone around her turned to stare.
"Um," she fumbled for an explanation. "Nik – Klaus –, Caroline, Stefan, and I went to a concert last month and Stefan wore a bro tank." It wasn't a lie, it just wasn't the reason she knew about his tattoo. People nodded, excepting her story.
Nik approached the pool, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. "Stefan has been so kind as to agree to aid me in critique of your turns via a new angle. He will be in the pool watching and ready to assist in corrections." His face grew stern. "Do not fuck up your turns just to get his attention. I will know and you will do lunges around the pool. Understand?" Everyone nodded. Elena giggled as she caught Stefan's eye. He smirked at her. "Super. I want everyone in lines at the half way mark. No more than ten girls to a lane. Go on, spread out." Stefan pulled his cap on as the girls dispersed.
Elena chose the one of the middle lanes, diving under the lane lines as she swam to the line. When all the girls were divided up Stefan snapped his goggles into place and dove in. He swam under the lane lines, coming up in Elena's lane. He positioned himself half way between the wall and the line of swimmers. "All good, Nik." He dove underwater in preparation for watching their turns.
"Alright, Mate. First group, Hup." Elena pushed off the bottom. As she swam over Stefan Elena stuck her tongue out at him. He gave her a fleeting smile before he turned his focus to the wall. Elena made kissy faces at him on her return; he blew her a kiss in reply. She stopped at the line she had started at.
"I have no complaints. Kol? Stefan?" From the opposite end of the pool, Kol shook his head. Stefan also shook his head. "Excellent. Next group. Hup."
"Think that's enough starts for now?" Stefan turned to Nik.
"I think that's good for the day." He replied.
"Ready for a little Rippa fun?"
"Hell yes."
Nik whistled. "That's enough starts. Time to play a little game. Come on over."
Stefan searched the crowd for Elena. He spotted her towards the back. He winked at her. She smiled back at him. "I love you." She mouthed.
"Same." He mouthed back. He raised an eyebrow at her, silently asking her how she was doing. She nodded at him, signaling she was okay.
"What is the game?" Alana asked. Stefan looked forced himself to look away from Elena and focus on Nik.
"You girls are going to race." He paused dramatically. "Against Stefan." A murmur ran through the crowd. "And, to make it especially interesting, anyone that beats Stefan gets a kiss." Stefan's eyes widened. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Elena tense. Nik smirked at the two. "I don't anticipate any of you lot actually beating him, but it shall bloody well be entertaining to watch. Line it up!" He clapped his hands.
Stefan grabbed Nik, pulling him aside. Elena was weaving through the crowd, heading straight for them. "What the hell, Nik? I'm not kissing them."
Nik chuckled. "Better not lose, Rippa."
Elena joined them. "Are you out of your mind?" She hissed.
"No, I'm not. I'm looking for motivation and I found it. Now get on with it." In a louder voice he called, "time to learn the nature of the Rippa nickname. Oh, this is gonna be fun." He looked at Stefan and Elena, still standing in front of him. "Go on now." He waved them off.
"Let's start with the short stuff. Stefan, middle lane. Girls, divide up into the lanes around him. Let's see if you can beat Rippa in a 50."
Stefan hopped up onto the block. He took his goggles off, adjusting the straps. Elena took the opportunity to admire Stefan. His legs were well muscled and tanned. Her eyes traveled up his body, over his washboard abs. She ran her gaze along his arms; every muscle and vein stood out in sharp detail. A white cap emblazoned with an American flag covered his sandy hair. Salvatore was printed in all black caps under the flag. Elena noticed that she wasn't the only one checking Stefan out. Look all you want; he's all mine. The thought brought a smile to her face. Stefan was perfect and he was hers. How did she get so lucky?
Elena joined the end of the line a lane next to Stefan. She was both nervous and excited, excited for the thrill of the race and the chance to see Stefan in action. Nervous that someone would beat Stefan and so win a kiss from her lover. She shook it off, trusting Stefan to be fast enough.
As the groups went not a single girl came close to beating Stefan. Elena had watched in wonder as Stefan sliced through the water. It was one thing to see him on TV, it was quite another to witness his power from the deck. He was magnificent. Elena noticed Stefan rubbing his shoulder as he climbed back up onto the blocks. Worry crept into her mind as she realized that it was his right shoulder, his bad shoulder. She pushed it aside. Stefan knew what he was doing; no one knew his body better than he did.
"Last group." Nik called. Elena slipped her goggles over her head before mounting the block.
She turned to Stefan. "Are you okay?" She whispered.
"Fine, just a little sore." He smiled at her. "Ready to lose?" His tone was playful.
"Pucker up, Lover Boy." She shot back.
"Ladies and Gents, last heat. Anyone going to unseat the great Rippa? Take your mark."
Elena bent down, grabbing the edge of the block. "Hup!"
Elena kicked her feet as fast as she could, propelling herself closer to the wall. She was just inches off Stefan's hip. Her arms burned with lactic acid as she pulled against the water. Stefan hit the wall just a second before her.
"Looks like I win, Gilbert." He stuck his tongue out at her. "Haha."
Elena pouted. "Nobody likes a sore winner, Salvatore. She held her hand out for him to shake. Stefan moved off the wall towards her. When he was in arms reach Elena lunged for his head, dunking him under.
Stefan came up sputtering. "Not cool."
Elena shrugged. "You deserved it."
Stefan was prevented from retaliating by Nik. "Way to go, Elena. Closest anyone's got to catching him. I think this calls for another race. What do you think, Kol?"
Kol nodded. "Stefan and Elena showdown."
Nike grinned. "Alright, Stelena 200 free for glory, and a kiss." He laughed. Stefan and Elena both shot Nik a look at his use of their couple name. "On the blocks you two." They hauled themselves out of the pool and back onto the blocks.
"Kol, let's get the clock on this." Kol walked toward the timing board switch. He pressed a couple of buttons and plugged a cord in. Across the pool, the display flickered before the board came to life.
The girls began to cheer for Elena. "Come on, Elena!" "Go, Elena!" "You got this!" "Get it, Gilbert!"
Stefan chuckled at the last one. "How right you are." He muttered, loud enough for Elena's ears only.
She smiled at him. "I'm coming for you, Rippa."
"Come all you want, Lena."
"Take your mark. Hup!"
They dove off the blocks, entering the water with barely a splash. Elena pushed the pace from the get go, hoping that she might be able to get Stefan if she went out fast. He was probably tired from all those sprints before. Winning this wasn't a big deal in, but Elena wanted the victory. She wanted this kiss, silly as that sounded.
Elena and Stefan were neck in neck as they flipped for the last time. You can do this, Gilbert. Think about how much you want it. Think about how good it will feel to have Stefan's lips on yours. Move! Elena willed her body to move faster. She slammed her head into the timing pad, bringing her head up to look at the board. She beat Stefan out by one one hundredth of a second.
The crowd of swimmers erupted in cheers for Elena and her victory. She smiled, ripping her cap and goggles off and tossing them in the gutter before sinking back in the water. Stefan ducked under the lane line, floating over to her. "You got lucky." He teased.
"What's the matter, Stef? Don't wanna kiss me?" She asked. He gave her a look as he pulled off his cap and goggles, tossing them beside hers. The look said; what do you think?
"Congratulations, Love. You bested the Rippa." Nik called from his place beside the pool.
"Thanks, Nik." Elena moved around Stefan to climb out of the pool. She felt the water stir as he followed her.
Nik propped a leg up on the block, resting his elbow on his knee, and his chin in the palm of his hand. "Stefan, I do believe you owe the lady a kiss."
Stefan grinned at Elena. "I believe I do."
Butterflies overran Elena's stomach. She wasn't nervous about kissing Stefan, she was nervous about kissing Stefan in front of the entire swim team. What if they figure it out? Elena looked at Nik. He was studying her. Ever so slightly, he nodded. He seemed to silently be telling Elena that he was okay with her relationship with Stefan becoming college knowledge via this kiss – if that happened.
She turned to Stefan. "Alright, Salvatore. Let's get it over with. Lay it on me." She pretended to be uninterested by the entire affair as she cast her eyes around the pool, feigning boredom. She didn't miss the tumult of jealous looks aimed at her as Stefan made his way over to her.
Stefan stopped when he was less than a foot away from Elena, his eyes searching hers. He knew just as well as her that this kiss could blow their cover. She shrugged at him. Elena no longer cared who knew about their relationship. Sure, she would like it to remain private, but she was no longer terrified of discovery.
Stefan stepped closer to Elena, closing the distance. He reached for her face, pulling her mouth closer to his. Elena could hear her heart beating as Stefan's lips descended towards hers. Her eyes fluttered shut. Then his mouth was on hers and she forgot about anything that wasn't Stefan's mouth on hers. The kiss ended all too soon for Elena. She opened her eyes, meeting Stefan's gaze. The need in his eyes was the most intense Elena had ever seen. He wanted her, now.
Clapping broke them out of their little Stelena bubble. "That was lovely." Nik smiled at them before turning to address the group. "Great practice. Tomorrow you have the day off, spend it well. Wednesday, be here by eight am. Dismissed."
Elena set her bag on the bleachers outside of the locker room. She strode over to the pool, picking her cap and goggles up out of the gutter. She noticed Stefan had not yet retrieved his so she grabbed his for him. She shook the water out of their caps as she walked back to her bag before stowing them in a side pocket.
"Why are you taking Stefan's stuff?" She turned to Alana. The other girl was leaning against the door to Nik's office, fully dressed, bad resting at her feet.
"What? I just grabbed my cap and goggles from the gutter." Elena said, hopping she could evade the question and draw attention away from Stefan's stuff in her bag.
"Don't give me that shit. I saw you grab Stefan's too." Elena glanced around. A crowd was starting to form.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Bull shit. I can see it from here." Elena glanced down. Stefan's cap was visible. Shit.
She heard the creak of a door; Stefan had just exited the locker room, suit in hand, and drying his hair with a towel.
"I...I..." She stuttered.
"You know, I'm sick and tired of this. You think just because you're fast you can do what you want. It's like the rules don't apply to you. 'Look at me, I'm Elena Gilbert, I'm so fast and that means I can do whatever I want.' The worst part is everyone feels sorry for you because your parents died so they let you get away with it. First, it's Matt and now you're sleeping with Stefan. You think you're all that but you're nothing better than a no good whore. Wake up. It's time for you to grow up and stop playing to poor orphan card." Alana spat at Elena, contempt written all over her face.
Elena was frozen in place; tears pouring down her face.
Stefan slowly moved closer to Elena as Alana spewed venom from her mouth. He had had about enough of this. When Alana called Elena a whore, he changed course, heading for Alana. Stefan dropped his suit and towel as he walked.
Alana kept going. "You think you're above the rules. What makes you so special? Huh? Why should you get to –" She was cut off as Stefan threw her over his shoulder. "What the hell? Put me down!" She demanded.
Stefan ignored her as he made a beeline for the side of the pool. Alana struggled but she was no match for Stefan, especially not a pissed off Stefan. He stopped at the side of the pool. "You don't talk to the woman I love like that." He hissed at her just before he tossed her, fully dressed, into the pool.
Stefan didn't stay to savor his revenge, instead he rushed to Elena. She was still rooted to the same spot. "Elena." He whispered tenderly, reaching for her.
She turned her head at the sound of his voice. "Stefan." She reached for him. Elena fell into Stefan's arms as the first sob escaped her chest.
"Shhh. I've got you. It's okay." He whispered into her hair as he cradled her. "I love you." He kissed her hair.
Alana's angry voice rang out. "What the fuck? Klaus, you're not going to let him get away with that are you?"
Nik looked at her, disgust coloring his expression. "I don't believe in talking to others like that, especially not your teammates. You got what you deserved." He raised his voice, addressing all the congregated swimmers. "Let's get something straight. Yes, Stefan and Elena are dating. Yes, I am aware of it. No, they are not breaking the rules as they were dating before it was made. They have done nothing wrong. If anyone has a problem with that, take it up with me. Got it."
Dead silence. "Am. I. Clear?" He yelled.
"Yes."
"Excellent." Nik strode over to Stefan and Elena. "Elena, Love." She looked at him, her face stained with tear tracks. "Stefan, take her home." Stefan nodded, letting go of Elena with one arm to pick her bag up. Nik picked Stefan's suit and towel up, dropping them into Elena's bag.
A/N: Whaddaya think?
An explanation of possibly confusing swim jargon.
1. Vertical kicking is where you are in the middle of the pool with your arms above your head in streamline. You have to keep your head above water while kicking. It SUCKS!
2. What Stefan was wearing is what most guy swimmers wear once older than the age of 12. It's basically boxers but shorter, ending just below their butt cheeks, they wear a speedo under. So, he's practically naked. There's a sexy image for you. Tweet me your reactions.
3. "Hup" is what swim coaches yell instead of go.
How many of you knew Elena would win the kiss?
Alana gets it!