I am sorry it has been so long. School started and it was really stressful and confusing and I'm so busy. I started writing outlines so hopefully that will help me get my updates together faster. This one is extra juicy so I hope you will accept it as my way of apologizing.
The lights in the club pulsed. The floor vibrated with the base as a techno song blared through the speakers. Stefan was thoroughly enjoying himself. The entire team had decided to go out in celebration of their success that day. Sharing in Elena's win had been better than if it had been his own. There was something about helping Elena achieve her goals that gave Stefan a sense of satisfaction he had never felt before. It was almost a drug. When she was happy he was happy. It was as simple as that.
"Stefan." He turned his head towards the sound of Elena's voice. She was weaving between dancers on her way to the table from the bar. Two drinks were clutched in her hands.
"Yes, Lena." He smiled at her, accepting both his drink and her kiss.
"I… I love you. Like, a lot." She slurred, knocking a good half of her drink back.
Stefan chuckled. "I love you too." He reached out an arm to steady her as she swayed back and forth, unstable on high heels. "How many drinks is that, baby?"
Elena giggled as she shrugged her shoulders. "I'm not keeping track today. Today is a celebration." Her voice rose as she got excited. "Aren't you happy, Stefan? I broke that record and I won all those races." She giggled again. "It was pretty great."
Elena attempted to take a step closer to Stefan but stumbled. He caught her. "Whoa, why don't you take a seat, Lena. Here." He lifted her into a chair at the table. "Nik, can you get Lena a water?" Nik nodded before kissing Caroline on the cheek and leaving the table.
"You're the best, Stef. Did you know that?" Stefan smiled at her as he gently pried her drink from her fingers, setting it on the table. "Wanna guess what my favorite part of the meet was?"
Stefan stepped between Elena's legs, reaching up to brush her hair back from her face. He ran the back of his hand along her check, gazing into her eyes. "What was your favorite part?"
She pouted. "I wanted you to guess, Stefan. Come on!"
He smiled. "Um, touching the wall first in the 800?" He tried, resting his hands on the skin of her exposed thighs. He felt a shiver run up her body as his thumbs began to knead the skin on her inner thigh.
"Don't stop." She whispered, reaching for his waist and pulling him even closer by his belt loops. "My favorite part was right after I won. When I climbed out of the pool and you were running to me. And I threw myself into your arms and you kissed me. That kiss was the best moment of the entire meet. It was like we were the only two people in the pool. I got to share my win with you and we didn't have to hide. That moment was perfect."
Stefan beamed at her. "That was my favorite moment too. I was so proud of you, Lena."
Elena's smile was equally as bright as Stefan's. She reached for his face, pressing her palms against his cheeks. Her eyes locked with his. "I love you, Stefan."
"I love you too, Elena." He leaned forward, kissing her lightly. Elena groaned when he pulled back. "Later." He whispered in her ear. "I promise." He nipped at her ear. "Now, are we feeling slightly less drunk?"
Elena help up a hand, thumb and forefinger held about an inch apart. "Bout this much."
"Good thing I've got your water then, Love. Here." Nik handed Stefan a bottle of water. "Care, would you care to take a turn about the dance floor with me?"
Caroline giggled. "Do you mean do I wanna go grind hard with you in the middle of the pit."
Nik grinned wolfishly. "Exactly."
Caroline tossed back the last bit of her drink, slamming her glass on to the table. "Hell yeah." She allowed Nik to pull her off her chair. "Take care of Elena." She threw over her shoulder at Stefan as Nik lead her through the crowd of gyrating dancers.
"Stefan, I wanna do shots!" Elena exlaimed.
"I'll make you a deal. Finish this bottle of water and we can do a round. Sound fair?" Elena nodded. "Great." Stefan picked up his untouched drink, sipping his whiskey as Elena gulped down her water.
She crumpled up the empty bottle, tossing it on the table. "Done."
"Alright, stay here. I'll go get them." Stefan turned towards the bar. An idea struck him. He caught the arm of a passing girl. "Vicki, I'm gonna go to the bar to get some shots, can you keep an eye on Elena? There is a free drink in it for you."
Vicki nodded. "Sure."
Stefan smiled. "Thanks. What are you drinking?"
Vicki handed Stefan her glass. "Sex on the beach."
"Of course you are." He turned to leave.
"Stef?"
"Yes, baby?" He glanced at Elena. She was beckoning him. Stefan tilted his head towards her mouth as she whispered in his ear. A smile spread across his faces as she spoke. "That can be arranged." He kissed her cheek before leaving for their shots.
The bar was crowded as Stefan approached. He slipped between two stools, setting Vicki's empty glass on the counter.
"What can I get for you, Sugar?" Stefan cringed at the address.
"Um, another Sex on the Beach." He rushed to clarify. "It's not mine. And two shots of tequila." The bartender nodded as she set about preparing Stefan's order.
"There ya are. Two shots of tequila and a Sex on the Beach." She said, setting the drinks down in front of him.
"Thanks, put it on my tab. Salvatore." Stefan picked up the shots and Vicki's drink, balancing them in one hand as he snatched two lime wedges out of a bowl next to him. Carefully he made his way back to the table. Vicki was perched on a stool next to Elena. Elena looked exhausted, her head resting on her hands.
"Two shots of tequila and a Sex on the Beach." He announced once he was close enough to the table.
Vicki hopped off her stool. "Thanks, Stefan." She lifted her drink out of his hand.
"No problem, thanks for keeping an eye on her." Stefan smiled at Vicki before turning to Elena. "How are we?"
Elena perked up. "Better now that you're here. Did you get what I wanted?"
Stefan set the shots down before showing her the limes. She smiled at him impishly as she reached for the salt. "Come here, Salvatore." Stefan grinned. Drunk Elena was more forward than sober Elena and it was sexy as hell. He stepped between her legs once again. Elena closed her legs, holding Stefan in place. "Just where I like you." He chuckled at her words.
Elena reached for his neck, gently tugging him down until her mouth could reach just beneath his ear. She dumped salt in her hand before licking his neck. Elena rubbed her hand on his neck, spreading the salt. She picked up the lime. Stefan opened his mouth, allowing her to wedge it between his teeth. Elena giggled as she snatched her shot off the table. She tossed the shot back swiftly before diving into Stefan's neck. Her tongue slid across his skin, sending a burning desire throughout his body. Elena crashed her lips onto his, fighting for the lime. Stefan bit down tightly on the lime, toying with her. He felt her growl into his mouth as she attempted the wrestle the lime from him. Slowly Elena ran her tongue around the outside of Stefan's mouth before licking his teeth.
Stefan's hands shot out, gripping her hips tightly as her tongue moved in his mouth. He opened his mouth, allowing Elena to take the lime. "Dear God, Lena. You're going to be the death of me."
She grinned at him, sucking on the lime. He reached out, slowly pulling the lime from her lips, careful to make sure his thumb and forefinger dipped inside her mouth before he withdrew the lime. "Your turn." Stefan grabbed the salt and his lime, quickly pouring salt over her neck and inserting the wedge. He drank his shot, licked her neck, and kissed her for his lime. She smiled at him as he pulled away. "Let's do more, Stefan." He nodded at her, flagging down a passing server.
"Another round of shots with limes. And keep them coming."
Stefan had lost count of the rounds of shots he and Elena had blown through. Enough that he no longer cared how many. Elena was draped across his lap, giggling quietly. "Stefan, I've never danced on a table before."
"Somehow that doesn't surprise me." He placed a sloppy kiss on her forehead.
"I'm doing it." She pushed off his chest before clambering on top of the table. "Caroline, come on." She waved urgently at her friend.
Caroline peeled herself away from Nik's side. "This is bloody good fun." Nik shouted to Stefan over the music. He nodded at his friend, eyes fixed on Elena. The song switched as Elena and Caroline began to move together. Stefan thought he recognized the beat. S&M. Somehow the song made Elena's dancing even sexier. He was mesmerized by her legs as she moved on the table. His eyes traveled up her body before meeting her gaze. Elena may have been dancing with Caroline but her eyes were locked on his. It was erotic, watching her.
People were beginning to gather around their table. Stefan glanced around, noticing lots of guys with their eyes fixed squarely on Elena. Jealousy flared up and also a sense of protectiveness. Stefan didn't want other guys seeing Elena that way. He looked back at her. "I love you, Stefan." She called.
He smiled. Other people may be watching Elena but she was doing this all for him. The song ended. Elena and Caroline collapsed against each other in a fit of hysterical laughter. Stefan and Nik stood, reaching up to help the girls down. Elena bent her knees, allowing Stefan grab her hips and lift her off the table. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he stepped back. "Don't." She breathed into his ear as he was about to set her down. Elena wrapped her legs around his waist. "Take me back to the room, Stefan." She whispered in his ear, nipping the top.
"Nik, we're out of here." Stefan's voice was rushed as Elena began to nip and suck his ear. "Oh, what am I gonna do with you, Miss Gilbert?" Stefan asked as he pushed through the crowd towards the door.
"I sure hope only very dirty things, Mr. Salvatore." She giggled.
"Ugh. I cannot believe I danced ontop of a table last night." Elena groaned, burring her face in her hands.
Stefan rubbed her back as Caroline spoke from the front seat of the car. "It was epic, Elena. Come on, you have to live a little. Stop freaking out about it."
Elena groaned again. "But Care, you know that' not me. Plus, I'm against everything about table dancing."
Stefan gave Elena a confused look. "What do you mean?"
"Table dancing objectifies women. It's assumed that they are loose and easy. It automatically makes them trashy and I don't like that. I feel dirty." Elena explained, hiding her faec behind her hair.
Stefan leaned closer to Elena, lowering his voice so Nik and Caroline would not be able to hear. "Elena, when you climbed on that table did any of the things you said apply? Are you trashy? I know for a fact you aren't loose or easy. So don't be upset. Hey, look at me." He gently tilted her face until her gaze met his. "What made you do it?"
"I don't know. I always wanted to try it, deep down. And… I knew you would enjoy it. Like, I guess I kinda did it for you, not so that a bunch of strangers in a club could gape at me."
"Then don't worry about it. You had fun when you did and I did enjoy it too. There is nothing to be ashamed of. I don't love you any less or see you any differently. Last night was a celebration and we had fun. Although," He winked at her. "My favorite part was later."
Elena blushed, then her face turned serious. "Thank you, Stefan. I feel much better now. I love you."
"I love you too." Stefan kissed Elena's nose.
"Sorry to bite the moment, Love and Mate, but where do I go from here to get to Bonnie and Jeremy's" Nik asked as the car stopped at a traffic light.
The table was set for Thanksgiving Dinner. Elena allowed Stefan to guide her towards their seats across from Nik and Care. Jeremy and Bonnie at the head of the table and Kol occupied the other end.
Stefan spoke up once everyone was situated. "My family is very Italian and very Catholic. We always say Grace before a big meal and if it's okay with everyone here I would like to continue the tradition." Elena reached for him as his request was met with subsequent nods.
Stefan gripped Elena's hand as he reached for Bonnie with his other hand. "Dear Lord, thank you for the food you have blessed our table with today. Thank you for a successful meet and Elena's new record." He squeezed her hand as he spoke. "But most of all, thank you for the blessing of friends and family to share this meal with. Amen."
"That was great, Stefan. Now, can we eat? I'm starving?" Kol asked, picking up his fork.
Everyone laughed as they dove into their meal.
"So, Kol, Caroline tells me that you and Nik are brothers." Bonnie asked.
Kol nodded, chewing for a moment before answering. "He's my big brother."
"If you're related how come you sound Australian and he sounds British?" Jeremy piped up.
"We are from outside of London but I was born in Australia. Our family lived there until I was ten before we moved to Virginia. Nik is four years older than me so he never picked up an accent." Kol explained.
"Why did your move to Virginia instead of back to England?" Elena asked, taking a bite of turkey as she addressed Kol.
Nik answered. "I was getting ready for my first Olympics and that was the best place for me to be training. My father's job transferred him to America but he got to pick the place. My coach had recently gotten a job at the U so we followed."
"Stefan, is that how you two met?" Elena asked, turning to look at Stefan.
Nik chuckled. "We hated each other at first. We knew each other from competing against each other and let's just say we weren't thrilled to be teammates. But we got over it, became best mates, and got bloody fast." He grinned. "And thus the Ripper was born."
Elena giggled. "Hey, let's not forget you're nickname." Stefan teased.
Nik's smile disappeared. "Oh, what did they call you?" Caroline asked, gleefully.
"I get you later for this, Mate." He sighed. "They called me the Barmy Baby."
"What?" Caroline asked.
"Barmy, it's slang for crazy. I was the crazy baby." He blushed.
"Never heard a truer nickname." Kol quipped as he lounged in his chair, smirking.
"Hey hey, you had one too." Kol paled.
"Nik, I swear to God if you - ."
"We called Kol Aggro Skip. It means aggravating white Australian. I thinks it's fitting." He smirked at his brother. "He never shut up and never stopped following Stefan and I around." Kol stuck his tongue out.
Bonnie was hysterical. Jeremy was chuckling beside her. "When Elena was younger -."
"That's okay, Jeremy, we don't need to talk about that." Elena cut in.
"Come on, scared Stefan will make fun of your childhood nickname?" Jeremy teased.
"No, Stefan already knows about that. I just don't think we need to rehash that." Elena replied, picking up her fork. "Bonnie, this stuffing is amazing. What did you add?"
Stefan kissed Elena's head before gently getting up from the couch. She grabbed his arm. "Hey, wear are you going?" She asked.
"I'll be right back, I just need to talk to Jeremy." He said. Elena dropped his arm, snuggling back into the couch and refocusing on the movie.
Stefan tiptoed around the various couches and chairs to get to Jeremy. He bent low, whispering by Jeremy's ear. "Jeremy, can I talk to you for a second?" Jeremy nodded, sliding Bonnie out of his lap before standing. He followed Stefan out of the living room and into the kitchen.
Stefan turned to face Jeremy, leaning against the island.
"So what do you want to talk to me about?" Jeremy asked.
Stefan shifted, crossing his arms across his chest. "Um, Elena."
"I figured that." Jeremy laughed.
"I want to marry her."
Jeremy was silent, studying Stefan. After a minute he spoke. "You guys haven't been together that long, have you?"
"No, but I don't want to propose now. Neither one of us is ready at this point. It's just, I'm a traditional guy, Jeremy, and asking permission is important to me. I would ask your father but I can't. So I'm asking you. Jeremy, may I have permission to marry Elena. I love her more than anything, more than my life. I would do anything for her and I would die before I hurt her."
"I'll give you my permission, but just so you know, if you do hurt her." He paused, squaring his shoulders. "I will kill you, got it?" Stefan nodded. Jeremy smiled. "Good. I'm glad. She's happy with you. I haven't seen her this happy since our parents died."
"Thank you, Jeremy. I will take care of her." Stefan glance through the door, his eyes landing on Elena. Jeremy studied Stefan as he watched Elena. His entire stance changed. His shoulders relaxed, his eyes softened, and his body leaned slightly forward - almost as if a magnet was pulling him towards Elena.
"Why are you asking me now? If you don't think either of you are ready yet. Do you even have a ring?" Jeremy asked, breaking Stefan out of his Elena-trance.
"I'm not sure when we will get to see you again and I want to make sure I have all my ends tied up so that when we are ready I can do it. I don't have a ring yet, but I want her to pick that out. I won't ask her until we have talked about it and decided that's what we both want." Stefan explained.
Jeremy nodded. "I like you, Stefan. You're a good guy. I hope you guys are really happy."
"We are. And don't worry about me ever hurting her. And even if I did you might not get to me in time. Nik, Kol, and my brother Damon would all beat you to it." They laughed. "Thanks, Jeremy, really. Now, let's get back to the movie."
A/N: Thoughts?